2011 GMC Sierra 3500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500: 5 recalls, 20 owner complaints.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #14V407000 · 2014 · 9,371 vehicles
What's wrong: Owners May unknowingly draw too much current through the vehicle's trailer harness resulting in the melting of fusible link for the auxiliary battery.
Why it matters: If the fusible link melts it May come into contact with adjacent components, damage the electrical center cover, the nearby wiring harness conduit and other vehicle components, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace the jumper harness with one that includes a 40 amp inline fuse, and provide the owner with supplemental owner manual information, free of charge. The recall began on August 29, 2014.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #17V664000 · 2017 · 35,292 vehicles
What's wrong: The low fuel level sensor for the front tank May stick causing the rear tank to overfill the front tank.
Why it matters: If the front tank overfills, the excess pressure May cause the front tank to expand and contact the driveshaft, possibly resulting in a hole in the tank. The hole will leak fuel, which in the presence of an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Gm has notified owners, and dealers will replace the rear tank fuel pump or update the fuel-level sensor software, as well as inspect the front tank, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2017.
Equipment Vehicle recall #18V267000 · 2018 · 6,154 vehicles
What's wrong: These extinguishers May become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or requiring excessive force to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle May detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit:…
Why it matters: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, instructing them to contact kidde to get a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began June 11, 2018.
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V054000 · 2021 · 1,778,128 vehicles
What's wrong: " additionally gm is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, Chevrolet silverado 2500, silverado 3500, suburban, tahoe, GMC sierra 2500, sierra 3500, yukon, yukon xl and 2011-2013 Cadillac escalade ext, Chevrolet avalanche, silverado 1500, and GMC sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of az, ar, de, dc, il, in, ks, ky, md, mo, ne, nv, nj, nm, nc, oh, ok, pa, tn,…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner…
Airbags Vehicle recall #21V050000 · 2021 · 2,641,272 vehicles
What's wrong: S. Virgin islands or "zone a." additionally, gm is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, escalade ext, Chevrolet avalanche, silverado 1500, suburban, tahoe, GMC sierra 1500, yukon, yukon xl vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of arizona, arkansas, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, kansas, kentucky, maryland, missouri, nebraska, nevada, new jersey, new…
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (8): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Fuel & propulsion (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Wheels (2): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (2).
- Other / unknown (2): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 has 20 owner complaints, ranking #12 of 31 Sierra 3500 model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 19). Complaints peaked in 2017 (6 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 77,250 miles. Neighboring years: 2010 (2 complaints, 5 recalls), 2012 (9 complaints, 4 recalls).
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2011 GMC Sierra 3500. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (8), fuel & propulsion (2), wheels (2).
Where can I get a 2011 GMC Sierra 3500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.